Korea ferry captain and two crew detained

South Korean prosecutors investigating last week's ferry disaster said on Sunday they wanted to extend the detention of the captain and two other crew as they try to determine the cause of an accident that likely claimed more than 300 lives.

The ferry was on a routine 300-mile voyage from Incheon to the southern holiday island of Jeju in calm weather on Wednesday carrying 476 passengers and crew, among them 339 children and teachers on a high school outing.

Witnesses said the captain and some crewmembers took to rescue boats before the passengers. The captain has not explained why he left the vessel.